Tahajjud prayer, also known as “night prayer” and “Qiyam–ul–lail’’, is a voluntary prayer performed by followers of Islam. It is a night prayer that is offered to achieve mental health and peace of mind. Tahajjud prayer is not intended to be compulsory or necessary. The most important thing is that at this time, the door of repentance is open. The importance of Tahajjud prayer is highlighted in the Holy Quran and many Hadiths.
Reference:
- Faith of Tahajjud
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.”
(Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 1614; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1163)
- Tahajjud as a Habit of the Loyal
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The most beloved prayer to Allah after the obligatory prayers is the prayer offered in the middle of the night.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1124; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1163)
- Consolation for Tahajjud
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: In the last third of every night, our Lord goes down to the lowest heaven and says: Who is calling Me so I may answer him? Who is asking me so I may grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so I may forgive him?
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1145; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 758)
These hadiths highlight the boundless reward and closeness to Allah through the optional night prayers.
How to Pray Tahajjud:
A Tahajjud prayer is a special act of worship performed at night to draw closer to Allah. This prayer is optional but the reward for performing it is great or precious. The method of performing Tahajjud prayer is as follows:
First of all, get up at night at some point. It is better to get up after sleep because this is Sunnah. Perform ablution and stand in a clean place. Tahajjud prayer is also performed in pairs of rak’ahs and eight is seen as a good number by many Muslims. Most people will say two, four, six, eight, or twelve rak’ahs, though more is not bother and the more you pray the more rewards are available.
وَمِنَ ٱلَّیۡلِ فَتَهَجَّدۡ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةࣰ لَّكَ عَسَىٰۤ أَن یَبۡعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامࣰا مَّحۡمُودࣰا
(Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 79)
“And during the night, pray Tahajjud as a further prayer for you; it is scheduled that your Lord will raise you to an appreciation station.”
وَمِنَ ٱلَّیۡلِ فَسَبِّحۡهُ وَإِدۡبَـٰرَ ٱلنُّجُوم
(Surah At-Tur, Ayah 49)
“And in part of the night, promote Him, and after the setting of the stars.”
قُمِ ٱلَّیۡلَ إِلَّا قَلِیلًا نِّصۡفَهُۥۤ أَوِ ٱنقُصۡ مِنۡهُ قَلِیلًا أَوۡ زِدۡ عَلَیۡهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ تَرۡتِیلًا
(Surah Al-Muzzammil, Ayahs 2–4)
“Stand [in prayer] at night, except for a little—half of it, or deduct from it a little, or add to it, and recite the Qur’an with measurable recitation.”
How to Perform Tahajjud prayer:
It can consist of as few as two rak‘ahs and as many as you are able to perform. How to Perform 02 Rakat Nafl Part of Tahajjud Prayer:
1st Rakat:
- First, make the Niyyah ( intention ) by reciting “ I intend to Perform the 02 Rakat Nafl Part of the Tahajjud prayer.
نويت أن أصلي صلاة التهجد ركعتين لله تعالى
(Nawaytu an usalli Salat al-Tahajjud rak‘atayn lillahi ta‘ala)
“I hope to perform two units of the Tahajjud prayer for Allah, the glorious.”
I hope to pray two rakat Tahajjud Prayer for Allah Almighty.
- You say takbir “Allahu Akbar” This starts the prayer.
- Begin reciting “Subhanaka”
سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Translation (Tarjuma):
“Glory is to You, O Allah, and all compliments are due to You. Blessed is Your Name, and glorious is Your grace. There is no spirit worthy of worship except You.”
4. After you say Ta’awwudh: “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim.” Bismillah: “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.”
- 5. Reciting Surah Al
- The next portion is (Surah ikhlas) of the Quran.
- Go into Ruku and you say Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem.
- Stand up straight when you say Sami Allahu liman Hamidah and say Rabbana lakal Hamd in a low voice.
- 9. Go into the First Sajdah and you say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la.
- 10. Now sit up from the first Sajdha in the Jalsa position ( Sitting positions between the two sajdah ).
- Now go into the second sajdah and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la.
2nd Rakat:
- 1. Rise to continue to the next rak’ahs.
- You say Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
- Reciting Surah Al Fatiha.
- The next portion is (Surah ikhlas) of the Quran.
- 5. Go into Ruku and you say Subhana Rabbiyal
- Stand up straight when you say Sami Allahu liman Hamidah and say Rabbana lakal Hamd in a low voice.
- Go into the First Sajdah and you say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la.
- 8. Now sit up from the first Sajdha in the Jalsa position ( Sitting positions between the two sajdah ).
- Now go into the second sajdah and say Subhana Rabbiyal A’la.
- After this, you recite At-tahiyyat.
Tashahhud (Tahiyyat) is: تَحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَاوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Then, recite Allah-umma salli, Allah-umma Barik, and Rabbana.
- 11. Turn your face to the right first and say Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah and then to his left and do the same turning your face to the left and saying Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.
Tahajjud Prayer Time:
Tahajjud is Prayed after Isha (the obligatory nightly prayer) and before Fajr (the obligatory morning prayer). It may be most beneficial to perform Tahajjud between midnight and Fajr readily in the last third of the night. After praying Tahajjud, you should pray Witr salah (at least one rakat). It is also highly recommended.
Can I Pray Tahajjud without sleeping?
Tahajjud prayer time begins after half the night has passed; whether one sleeps or not, Tahajjud can be performed. Sleeping is not a condition for the strength of Tahajjud. This is the accepted opinion.
However, it is better to sleep and thereafter to rise and perform Tahajjud prayer. It doesn’t matter whether you slept and woke up or not.
Benefits of Tahajjud:
The following are some benefits that you get by praying Tahajjud always:
- Best Time to make your Duas come True.
- Forgiveness.
- Spiritual closeness.
- Helps with Everyday Problems.
- It makes you closer to Allah.
- It softens the Heart.
From the Quran:
Surah Al-Isra (17:79):
“And in some parts of the night, perform Tahajjud (the night prayer) as an additional prayer for you; it is expected that your Lord will raise you to a station of praise.”
From Hadith:
Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 2, Hadith 1129):
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Tahajjud).”
Conclusions:
Reciting the Tahajjud prayer gives you emotional and mental peace. It takes away your anxiety, depression, and stress.
Tahajjud, the night prayer, holds a special significance in Islam. Below are some references:
You can also learn about five daily prayers on our website. You can join our live classes where you can learn about Islam and the Quran.
